Downdraft magazine heatek



June 24, 1947. H H 'FLEER 2,422,959

` DOWNDRAFT MAGAZIN HEATER y Filed Aug. 25, 1943 4 sheets-sheet 1 June24, 1947.

ADOWNDI-{AFT MAGAZIN HEATER Filed Aug. 23, 1943 I 4 sheets-sheet 2 `f J556 54 J2 l@ #v/QR v HZEER.

H. H. FLEl-:R- 2,422,959

June 24, H. H. FLEER DOWNDRAFT MAGAZINE HEATER Filed Aug. 25.11943 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 24, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEDOWNDRAFT MAGAZINE HEATER Harry H. Fleer, Quincy, Ill., assigner to GemCity Pattern Co., Quincy, Ill., a corporation 4of Illinois 4 Claims. l

' chamber and the vent through which these gases are discharged to theatmosphere and thereb-y to increase the eiiciency of the fuel employed.Moreover, the surface for heat radiation may thus be increased toimprove the efficiency of the heating unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method cf heatingwhich will effectively increase the output of heat from the combustionof solid fuels and a heater structure embodying.

these principles to produce the aforementioned desirable andadvantageous results.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a magazine typeheater which is eflcient in operation but simple and economical tmanufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention t0 provide a method ofand means for venting the combustion chamber to prevent a backdra'ft andthe emission of smoke or fumes from the combustion chamber into thespace to be heated during the operation of the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method-of andmeans for increasing the travel of the gasecusvproducts of combustionbefore discharging them through the vent or smoke pipe to extract themaximum amount of heat therefrom and thereby increase the efciency ofthe heating operation.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a methodof and means for in'- troducing secondary air to the heating unitwhereby the combustible gasesemerging from the combustion chamberY willbe caused to be burned so as to produce additional heat rather than tebe wasted by being discharged from the heating unit.

In accordance lwith the general features of the present invention, thereis provided a method of heating through the combustion of solid fuelwhich includes among other things the steps of withdrawing the gaseousproducts 0f Combustion from the combustion area at a point adjacent itsbase, passing them to a point adjacent the upper extremity of thecombustion area and directing them about the entire periphery of thecombustion area so as to substantially completely encircle the aircurrent supplied to the combustion area before discharging the same,

The present invention also contemplates the step of supplying asecondary current of air from the exterior of the combustion area but inclose proximity thereto which has been pre-heated for admixture with thegaseous products of combustion withdrawn from the combustion area so asto aid in producing the maximum efliciency from the fuel which is beingburned in the combustion area.

The present invention contemplates further a method of by-passing any ofthe gaseous products of combustion which may gather adjacent the upperextremity of the combustion area to prevent their being emitted into thespace being heated and providing a safety feature of considerableimportance in the effective operation of the heating means.

In accordance with still further general features of the invention,there is provided in a magazine heater means for accomplishing the stepsin the heating process hereinabove set forth.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent from the description of an embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which:

Figure 1 represents a vertical cross section through a typical magazinetype heater which embodies the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section through the upper portion of thedevice of the apparatus of Figure 1 as seen from the line II-II;

AFigure 3 is a partial rear elevation of the upper end of the structureof Figure 1 showing the vent or smoke pipe connection for the heater;

Figure 4 is a plan View of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the topcastings removed;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1 correspondingsubstantially to that of Figure 4 but with additional parts removed;

Figure 6 is a partial vertical cross section taken along the line VI-VIin Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a horizontal cross section taken through the device ofFigure l as seen from the line VII-VII therein;

Figure 8 is e, partial vertical section as seen from the line VIII-fVIIIin Figure 4; and

Figure 9 is an isometric View of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1illustrating the secondary air inlet channel.

The magazine heater unit illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings isprovided with a base portion II into which is fitted a, substantiallycylindrically-shaped member I2 which encloses a chamber or ashpit Ill.side of the cylindrical member I2 as seen in Figure 1 is secured in anysuitable fashion a front casting I4 which is provided at the opening I3therein with an ash door I5 providing access to the ashpit I. The doorI5 is swingably mounted as by means of suitable hinges and is providedwith an air inlet which takes the form of a slide I6 in the face thereofwhich is adapted to be regulated from an open to a, closed position asmay be desired in the operation of the heater.

A ring II is supported at the upper end of the ashpit I3 by thecylindrical member I2 and supports the grate frame I3 therefrom in themanner illustrated in Figure 1. The grate frame I3, in turn, supportsthe grate I9 which is illustrated as being annularly shaped and providedwith a centrally disposed opening 20 therein adjacent to which aplurality of apertures 2I are arranged in annularly-spaced relation. Thegrate I9 may be supported in any suitable fashion from the grate frameI8 such, for example, as by means of a plurality of horizontallyprojecting lugs 22.

Supported from the under side of the grate I9 and partially closing thecentral opening 20 therein is a shaker member 23. Shaker member 23 is ofthe draw-center type and is adapted to be moved in slidable relation tothe grate I9 on the supporting means 24v depending from the grate I9.The shaker member 23 may be operated as by means of the handle portion25 which extends downwardly into the ashpit I adjacent the door Itherein. The shaker member 23 is provided with a plurality of slots 26which are advantageously arranged in parallel relation to each otheralthough any other suitable construction may be substituted therefor.

The grate frame I8 has an opening 2B therein which is disposedsubstantially directly below the grate I3 and its associated shakermember 23 so as to permit the passage therethrough of the ash or othersolid products of combustion into the ashpit I0. A pin 29 or othersuitable form of container is provided in the ashpit Ill for thecollection of this residue. The pan 29 is preferably of such a,dimension that it may be removed from the ashpit IIJ through the door I5therein when it is desired to empty the accumulation of residuecollected therein.

A jacket 3l of generally cylindrical shape is mounted above thecylindrical member I2 and forms the outer enclosure for the rebox orcombustion chamber 32. The interior of the jacket 3I is provided withany suitable form of insulating means such, for example, as a pluralityof co-operatively arranged rebricks 33 which extend substantiallyaxially thereof. The rebricks 33 are formed from fire clay or any othersuitable fire-resistant refractory material.

Each of the bricks 33 is advantageously formed in the manner shown inFigure '7 of the drawings which represents a plan of the combustionchamber 32. An outer arcuate surface 34 of each of the rebricks 33 isplaced in contiguous relation with the inner surface of the jacket 3|,while a similar arcuate surface 35 serves to Vforrn Adjacent therighthand a substantially cylindrically-shaped interior for the f rebox32. A substantially wedge-shaped reentrant portion 36 extending inwardlyfrom the arcuate surface 35 of each of the rebricks co-operates with theend wall 31 of an adjoining brick 33 to form a substantially axiallyextending channel 38 which is substantially coextensive with the overalllength of the combustion chamber 32 and is advantageously slightly widerat its base. A collar 40 surmounts the rebricks 33 and is adapted tohold them in place within the jacket 3| at their uppermost ends.

An annular member 4I is disposed immediately above the collar 43 and issupported by the upper end of the jacket 3|. Secured to the outerperiphery of the annular member 4I is an outer generallycylindrically-shaped shell 42, while a similar inner shell 43 issupported by the annular member 4I adjacent its innermost periphery. Agenerally annularly-shaped cover member 44 is supported from theuppermost ends of the outer shell 42 and the inner shell 43. The outershell 42, the inner shell 43, the annular member 4i and the cover member44 co-operate to form therebetween a substantially completely enclosedannular ue 45 extending about and directly above the entire outerperiphery of the combustion chamber 32. The inner shell 43 is adapted toencircle the central opening 41 in the annular member 4I so as toprovide communication with the interior of the combustion chamber 32from the upper end of said inner shell 43.

A ring member 48 is supported by the upper end of the inner shell 43 andco-operates with the cover member 44 to support a plurality of grillesections 49 arranged above and about the upper surface of the covermember 44. The grille segments 49, which are provided with a pluralityof substantially vertically-extending slots 50, are shown as beingformed in a plurality of arcuate portions so that they may be readilyremoved for access to the generally arcuately formed basin 5I supportedby the cover member 44 which are adapted to contain water for increasingthe moisture content of the heated air supplied by the heating unit.Mounted upon the ring member48 is a lid 52 as by means of the hinges 53so as to permit it to be raised and lowered by means of the handle 54for access to the central opening 4l and the upper end of the combustionchamber 32 for the introduction of fuel thereto. An adjustable draftregulator 55 is disposed in the lid 52 and adapted to be adjusted by thehandle 56 thereon.

A smokebox 59 is secured to an opening 58 in the outer shell 42. Acollar portion 69 secured to the outer wall of the smokebox 59 providesa vent for connection with the chimney or smoke pipe, as the case maybe, to remove the smoke and other gaseous products of combustion fromthe heating unit. A baffle 6I extending substantially vertically fromthe annular member 4I to the cover member 44 is provided in the annularflue 45. A curved wall 62 disposed in the smokebox 59 and adapted toregister with or, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, to beintegral with the bale 6I, serves to divide the smokebox intocompartments 63 and 64. It will be noted that the compartment 34, byvirtue of the disposition of the curved wall 32, connects directly withthe collar member 60 which is, in turn, connected directly to thechimney or other form of smoke pipe.

AInlthe web portion of the annular member 4I (Figure 2) and adjacent thebaille 6I is a flue opening 66. A damper 61, pivotally mounted as bymeans of the hinges 68, is provided to open and close 'the flue opening66 as may be desired in the operation of the heating unit. Secured tothe damper 61 is a control rod 69 which extends upwardlythrough one ofthe segments 49 to the exterior ofthe heating unit adjacent the lid 52(Figure 3),.' By the manipulation of the control rod 69,`the'damper 61'may be raised or lowered with respect to the ilue opening 66 in theannular member 4I. -An'opening 1I adjacent the uppermost end of the`cylindrical member I2 and at the back por tion of the ashpit I6substantially diametrically opposite to the opening I3 and the door I5provides a'means of connection for the pouch casting `12 having anopening 1'3 in the uppermost end'thereof.` A vertically extending pipe14 registers with the opening 13 in the pouch casting 12 and connectswith the under side of the smokebox'59 so as to communicate with thechamber 63 therein through the opening 15, understood from Figures 1 and2 of the drawings, the'pouch casting 12, the pipe 14 and the chamber 63of the smokebox 59 serve to interconnect the ashpit I with the airchamber 45.

A duct 11 extending longitudinally of the vertically extending pipe 14and adjoining the same but advantageously disposed between said pipe 14and the jacket 3l serves to introduce secondary air to the heating unit.The duct 11 is closed at its uppermost end by the annular member 4I .butis provided in the outermost wall 1'8 thereof with a plurality ofapertures 19 in close proximity to its uppermost end. A slidable shutter86 (see Figure 9) is mounted upon the wall 18 of the duct 11 and isadapted toadjust the extent to which the apertures 19 are opened orclosed. A handle 8| secured to one end of the shutter 88 serves toposition the shutter so that the openings 82 therein register to theextent desired with thegapertures 19 in the wall 18 so as to control theinflux of air to the duct 11 which communiu cates with the pouch casting12 as by means of an opening83. The location of the duct 11 is such thatthe air passing therethrough is warmed by conduction from the pipe 14 inthe operation of the heating unit.

Another feature of the present invention is i illustrated to advantagein Figures 4 to 6 inclusive of the drawings. An enclosed substantiallyvertically extending passageway 85 is formed integrally with orotherwise suitably secured to thewall `of the cover member 44 andcommunicates with a chamber 86 formed between the substantially arcuatecasting 81' and the wall of the ring member 48. This chamber 86communicates with the interior of the ring member 48 beneath the lid 52as by means of a small aperture 88 extending therethrough. Thevertically extending passageway 85 opens into the annular flue 45through the cover member 44 at the opening 9|] therein. The chambers 81and 45 connected by the vertically extending passageway 85 and:so-operating with the aperture 68 serve to provide a by-pass from theupper end of the combustion chamber 32 for any smoke or other gaseousproducts of combustion which may accumulate in the interior of the innershell 43 adjacent to the under side of the lid 52 and serve to preventthe possibility of smoke back or pufling,`

The n'ovel method of heating and the structure for accomplishing thisresult will best be under- As will be stood from a description of themethod of its operation. When it is desired to place the heating unit inoperation, the lid 52 is opened by grasping the handle 54 thereon andswinging it about the hinges 53 on which it is mounted. Any solid fuelsuch, for example, as paper, wood, coal or the like is admitted to theinterior of the inner shell 43 and passes through the opening 41 at thelowermost end thereof into the combustion chamber 32, being supportedtherein by the grate I6 and shaker member 23. The control rod 69 israised thereby causing the damper 61 to be raised and opening the flueopening 66 in the upper surface of the annular member 4|. The air inlet55 in the lid 52 is closed and the slide I6 in the door I5 for theashpit I0 is opened, after which the fuel contained in the combustionchamber is ready to be ignited.

When the fuel has been ignited the arrangement of the slide I6 and theopening of the damper 61 will result in a strong updraft of air beingprovided and. passing upwardly through the combustion chamber outthrough the opening 66 in the annular member 4I through the chamber 64of the smokebox 59 and out through the collar to the chimey or othersuitable smoke pipe. This mode of operation of the heating unit iscontinued until such time as the fuel charge contained in the combustionchamber 32 iS completely ignited.

The control rod 69 is then shifted so that the damper 61 will be loweredto close the opening 66 in the annular member 4I. The air inlet 55 isnow adjusted so as to permit the entry of air through the lid 52 intothe upper end of the cornbustion chamber 32 through the inner shell 43.

The slide I6 in the door I5 is now closed so asv to prevent the entry offurther air into or through the ashpit I6. Now the air required for thecombustion of the fuel charge in the combustion chamber 32 entersthrough the air inlet 55 and passes downwardly through the combustionchamber but is advantageously caused to follow the channels 38 formedbetween the adjacent rebricks 33 which serve as a lining for the jacketI3I and enters the ashpit I6 through the grate I9 and the shaker member23. The air which is commingled with the gaseous products of combustionnow passes through the pouch casting 12 upwardly through the pipe 14 andopening 15 into the annular flue 45.

The baille 6I disposed in the air chamber 45 and extending between theannular member 4I and the cover member 44 together with the curved wall62 serve to prevent this upward flow of air and gaseous products ofcombustion which enters the compartment 63 in the smokebox -59 throughthe opening 15 therein from escaping through the collar member 68 untilafter they have passed completely around the external periphery of theinner shell 43 in the ilue 45 to the compartment 64 of the smokebox 56.This travel of air and intermingled products of combustion withdrawnfrom the combustion chamber 32 by the pouch casting 12 and the pipe 14being at a high temperature results in the introduction of a vastlyincreased radiating capacity for the heating unit. It aids further inelevating the temperature of the air which is drawn through the airinlet 55 and passes downwardly through the interior of the inner shell43 into the combustion chamber 32 thereby increasing the eiciency ofoperation of the heating unit.

At any time during the functioning of the heating unit on the downdraftstage of its operation,

the shutter 80 may be adjusted by the useof the handle 8l so as topermit the entry of secondary air into the duct 'il and thence throughthe opening 83 at the base thereof into the pouch casting l2 and thepipe 'I4 so as to mingle with the air and gaseous products of combustionpassing therethrough into the annular flue `45. The introduction of thesecondary air through the apertures '19, as previously indicated,creates a flow of preheated air through the duct 'il and into the pouchcasting 'l2 at which point the gaseous products of combustion are beingwithdrawn from the combustion chamber 32. This preheated air permits acontinuance of the combustion of those portions of the gaseous productsof combustion emerging from the combustion chamber 32 which arecombustible but lack only suincient air to complete the combustionthereof. As a result of this arrangement less ilue gas is permitted toescape through the collar 60 to the chimney without being burned therebygreatly increasing the efficiency of operation of the heating unit.

A thermometer 92 may advantageously be mounted in the wall of the outershell 42 for the purpose of determining either the temperature of theroom or space being heated or the temperature of the heating unititself. If desired, a thermostatic control unit may be coupled with thethermometer 92 for the automatic control of the operation of the heatingunit. Other mod ications of similar character may be applied to thestructure of the heating unit and will be readily apparent.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a, magazine heater of the type adapted to burn solid fuel, a bodymember enclosing a combustion chamber, means for supplying updraft airto the bottom of the' combustion chamber, means for supplying downdraftair to the top of the combustion chamber, an annular ue around the meansfor supplying downdraft air, an upstanding flue conduit extendingalongside of the body member connecting the bottom of the combustionchamber with the annular flue, a smoke outlet on said body membercommunicating with said annular flue, a baffle in said annular fluebetween the upstanding flue conduit and the smoke outlet arranged todirect gases from the upstanding flue conduit completely around theannular iiue before reaching the smoke outlet, and a damper controlledpassage between the top of the combustion chamber and the annular uewhereby said heater can be operated on an updraft or a downdraftprinciple with the downdraft air being preheated before it reaches thecombustion chamber.

2. In a magazine heater, means dening a combustion chamber, a vent, adowndraft air chamber above the combustion chamber, an annular nuearound the air chamber communicating with the vent, a flue conduitalongside of the combustion chamber for directing air and gas- 7adjacent the lower end thereof, and means defining a passageway to saidair inlet in thermal relationship with the combustion chamber to preheatthe secondary air before-it reaches said inlet.

3. A stove comprising a stove body, a grate frame in said body above thebottom thereof, a grate supported by said frame dividing the body into alower ash compartment and an upper combustion compartment, rebricklining said body around said combustion compartment having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced channels connecting the top and bottom ofthe combustion chamber, a hood for said combustion chamber disposed inthe body at the top of the combustion chamber and dening a downdraft airchamber for the combustion chamber, said hood cooperating with said bodyto denne an annular flue around the downdraft air chamber, a smokeoutlet on said body communicating with said annular flue, an upstandingflue conduit alongside of the body connecting the ash compartment withthe annular flue, a baille in said annular nue between the upstandingflue conduit and the smoke outlet for directing gases around th'eannular flue, a damper-controlled opening in said hood connecting thetop of the combustion compartment with the annular flue, and adampercontrolled air inlet for the ash compartment whereby selectedpositions for the dampers will operate the stove on an updraft ordowndraft principle while downdrait air will be preheated by gases inthe annular ue.

4. A magazine type stove comprising a base member deiining an ash pit,an ash door on said base member, a flue pouch on said base member, acasing mounted on top of said base member enclosing a combustionchamber, a grate between the combustion chamber and ash pit, a hood onsaid casing dening a downdraft air inlet toA said combustion chamber, asecond casing on said rst mentioned casing surrounding said hood andcooperating therewith to dene an annular flue, a smoke box cooperatingwith said second casing having an inlet above said pouch and a firstoutlet communicating with said annular iiue, a flue pipe connecting saidpouch with said inlet of the smoke box, a fuel-charging door closing thetop of said hood, an air inlet at the top of said hood, a damper forcontrolling said air inlet, said hood having an opening connecting thetop of the combustion chamber with the annular flue, a damperrcontrolling said opening, means deiining a secondary air inlet pathcommunicating with said pouch and extending between the flue pipe andthe first mentioned casing, and a valve controlling said secondary airinlet.

HARRY H. FLEER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 698,810 Cahoone Apr. 29, 190254,830 Eaton May 15, 1886. 5,894 Frost June 2, 1874' 35,135 Buttles May6,A 1862 249,617 Hawley ,Nov. 15, 1881 1,198,109 Clow Sept, 12, 1916698,806 Cahoone Apr. 29, 1902 914,923 Cahoone Mar. 9 1909

